Tucked deep in the forest near Badulla, Dunhinda Waterfall crashes into a rocky basin, sending mist swirling through the air, wowing viewers
Dunhinda Falls made the perfect stop for us on our drive from Kandy to Ella and is less frequently visited by tourists due to most people taking the iconic train from Kandy to Ella. Dunhinda Waterfall is a hidden attraction in Sri Lanka and one of the best falls we saw during our 2 months exploring.
A 1.5km walk through rich forest with monkeys, birds and incredible mountain views takes you to the 64 metre, dramatic flowing waterfall that is topped up by the twice yearly monsoons. Dunhinda Falls is sometimes referred to as ‘bridal falls’ due to the veil of mist that thankfully cools off onlookers.
Below we share everything you need to know about visiting Dunhinda waterfall, from directions and parking tips to what to expect on the trail.
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Where Is Dunhinda Waterfall Sri Lanka?
Dunhinda Waterfall is located just 5 km north of Badulla, in Sri Lanka’s central highlands. It’s formed by the Badulu Oya River, which flows through the nearby town before plunging down into the forest basin.
How To Get To Dunhinda Waterfall?
The easiest way to get to Dunhinda Falls is from the town of Badulla.
Travel to Badulla
From Ella you can take a train or bus to Badulla. We recommend taking the train which takes 45 minutes and costs between 600-2,500 LKR depending on class.
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From Badulla To the Waterfall Entrance
Once in Badulla, take a bus traveling on the Badulla-Mahiyangana road and get off at the entrance (approximately 5 km from Badulla) or hire a tuk tuk taxi to the entrance.
Dunhinda Falls Trek
Once you have arrived at the entrance to the falls, there is a short 1.5km walk through the forest. This is on a well kept path but expect stairs and a few slippery sections, we managed the walk in flip flops but should have probably worn trainers.
How We Travelled To Dunhinda Falls: Rental Tuk Tuk
One of the best things we did while in Sri Lanka was to rent a tuktuk from tuktukrental.com to explore the country. The little red machine gave us freedom to explore each nook and cranny and allowed us to stumble across Dunhinda Waterfall on our journey from Kandy to Ella.
Parking At Dunhinda
If you’re also renting a tuk tuk or car, you’ll find a parking area at a hairpin bend near the entrance. A parking attendant will give you a ticket and watch your belongings while you walk to the falls. We paid 1,000 LKR to park.
What To Expect At Dunhinda Waterfall?
Feeling slightly anxious about leaving all our belongings in the tuk tuk (we took a bag of the important stuff) we headed off to the entrance of Dunhinda Waterfall.
As you walk through the entrance building, you’ll pass a row of vendors selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs but that quickly fades and you’re surrounded by nature.
The path to the waterfall is a mixture of concrete, forest track and steps that wind up and down, manageable in flip flops but we recommend trainers.
Along the path we saw monkeys that got a little too close, countless birds that we didn’t know the names of and a few locals visiting the falls with their family. The walk also offers amazing views of the neighbouring mountain and deep forest valley, although we walked quickly due to the looming thunder clouds overhead.
After 20 minutes we could hear the rumble of thundering water and emerged from the forest at the top of a long staircase. This staircase led us down to the viewing platform for Dunhinda Waterfall.
The roar of the water here is loud and the veil of mist engulfs us, suitably soaking our clothes and cooling us off from the humidity. The waterfall itself is spectacular, the best we saw in Sri Lanka and worth the forest hike.
The pool below the waterfall looks inviting but due to the sheer power of the falls it is too dangerous to swim in.
After taking it all in (and getting thoroughly soaked), we turned back, hoping to beat the storm clouds and protect the laptop we’d stuffed into our bags as we didn’t want to leave it in the open tuk tuk.
We returned to the tuk tuk, relieved to find everything still there and hit the road toward Ella, ready for the next adventure.
🗺️ Your Ultimate Sri Lanka Map
On our way, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited in Sri Lanka. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your adventure!
Folklore Of Dunhinda Falls
Dunhinda gets its name from the Sinhala word ‘dun’ which means mist or smoke and it is clear to understand why when you arrive and get shrouded in the cooling spray.
There are also several stories surrounding the falls including The Princess and Swan, The Giant Fern and the Tragic Love Story.
The Princess and the Swan describes a princess who was transformed into a swan and now lives near the waterfall which is where it gets its haunting beauty from. We looked around and we didn’t see any swans but perhaps you will spot her as people report seeing a white figure in the mist!
Best Places To Stay Near Dunhinda Falls
Dunhinda Falls Hotel Badulla – Budget Guesthouse
The Dunhinda Falls Inn is a basic accommodation option in the town of Badulla. It would make the perfect overnight stop while visiting the falls. It has air-con rooms, private bathrooms and on-site parking.
Relax Mountain Guest Inn Badulla – Closest To The Fall
The closest accommodation to Dunhinda Falls is Relax Mountain Guest Inn. With mountain views this hotel is only a 3 minute ride from the entrance to Dunhinda Falls or a 20 minute walk (although this is up a very windy steep mountain road!)s
Crown Regency Badulla – Luxury Place To Stay
Perhaps you’re looking for a little luxury and extra comfort while in Badulla, if so we recommend the Crown Regency. With a swimming pool, garden and fitness centre this is the perfect mountain retreat for exploring Badulla and Dunhinda Falls.
Dunhinda Waterfalls Common Questions
Final Thoughts on Dunhinda Waterfall
This hidden Sri Lankan attraction offers a true immersion into nature as you are bound to get soaked by the veil of mist. We’d recommend stopping off here if you’re close by as it was our favourite waterfall in Sri Lanka due to the forest surroundings, powerful waterfall and wildlife we spotted along the way.
